She listened to short account from my companion, with composed concentration which showed me that she possessed strong character as great beauty Maud Bellamy will always remain in my memory as most complete and remarkable woman It seems that she already knew me by sight, for she turned end

"Bring them to justice, Mr Holmes my sympathy and my help, whoever " It seemed that she glanced defiantly at her father and brother as she spoke

" ," said I "I value woman's instinct matters You use the word 'they ' that more than one was concerned ? "

" Mr McPherson well enough aware that brave and strong man No single person could ever have inflicted such an outrage upon him "

"Might one word alone ? "

"I tell you, Maud, not to mix yourself up matter," cried her father angrily

She looked at me helplessly "What can ? "

"The whole world will know the facts presently, so there no harm if I discuss them here," said I " preferred privacy, but if your father will not allow it share the deliberations " Then I spoke note which found dead man's pocket " sure produced inquest May I to throw any light upon it that ? "

" no reason for mystery," she answered "We were engaged married, and we only kept it secret because Fitzroy's uncle, very old and said dying, disinherited him if he had married against his wish no other reason "

" told us," growled Mr Bellamy

"So , father, had ever shown sympathy "

"I object to my girl picking up with men outside her own station "

" your prejudice against him which prevented us from telling you appointment" -- she fumbled in her dress and produced crumpled note -- " in answer "

DEAREST [ran the message]: The old place beach just after sunset on Tuesday only time get away F M

"Tuesday was to-day, and I had meant to meet him to-night "

I turned over the paper "This never came by post How did you get it ? "

" rather not answer that question It has really nothing matter which investigating But anything which bears upon that most freely answer "

She was as good as her word, but nothing helpful investigation She had no reason that her fiance had any hidden enemy, but she admitted that she had had several warm admirers

"May I ask if Mr Ian Murdoch was ? "

She blushed and seemed confused

" time when But that was all changed when he understood the relations between Fitzroy and myself "

Again the shadow round this strange man seemed taking more definite shape His record examined His rooms privately searched Stackhurst was willing collaborator, for mind also suspicions were forming We returned visit Haven one free end tangled skein was already hands

week passed The inquest had thrown no light matter and adjourned for further evidence Stackhurst had made discreet inquiry about his subordinate, and there superficial search room, but without result Personally, I had gone over the whole ground again, both physically and mentally, but with no new conclusions In all my chronicles the reader no case which brought me so completely limit powers Even my imagination could conceive no solution mystery And then there came the incident dog

my old housekeeper who heard of it first strange wireless such people collect the news countryside

"Sad story this, sir, about Mr McPherson's dog," said she one evening

encourage such conversations, but the words arrested my attention

"What of Mr McPherson's dog ? "

"Dead, sir Died of grief for its master "

"Who told you this ? "

"Why, sir, everyone is talking of it It took on terrible, and has eaten nothing for week Then to-day two young gentlemen Gables found it dead -- down beach, sir, very place where its master met his end "

" very place " The words stood out clear in my memory Some dim perception matter was vital rose in my mind dog should die was beautiful, faithful nature of dogs But " very place" ! Why should this lonely beach be fatal ? possible also sacrificed to some revengeful feud ? possible -- ? Yes, the perception was dim, but already something was building up in my mind on my way Gables, where Stackhurst study At my request he sent for Sudbury and Blount, the two students who had found the dog

"Yes, it lay very edge pool," said "It followed the trail dead master "

the faithful little creature, an Airedale terrier, laid out mat hall The body was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, limbs contorted agony in every line of it

Gables I walked down bathing-pool The sun had sunk shadow great cliff lay black across the water, which glimmered dully like sheet of lead The place was deserted and no sign of life save for two sea-birds circling and screaming overhead fading light dimly make out the little dog's spoor sand round the very rock his master's towel laid I stood in deep meditation while the shadows grew darker around me My mind was filled with racing thoughts known what in nightmare feel some all-important thing you search and which , though it remains forever just beyond your reach That was how that evening as I stood alone place of death Then at last I turned and walked slowly homeward

I had just reached the top path when it came Like flash, I remembered the thing I had so eagerly and vainly grasped know, or Watson in vain, that I hold vast store of out-of-the-way knowledge without scientific system, but very available needs work My mind is like crowded box-room with packets of all sorts stowed away therein -- that well have but vague perception of there I had known that something which might bear upon still vague, but how make it clear monstrous, incredible, and yet always possibility test it full

great garret in my little house stuffed with books that I plunged and rummaged for an hour end I emerged with little chocolate and silver volume Eagerly I turned up the chapter I had dim remembrance Yes, indeed far-fetched and unlikely proposition, and yet I at rest until I had made sure might, indeed, be so late when I retired, with my mind eagerly awaiting the work morrow

But that work met with an annoying interruption I had hardly swallowed my early cup of tea and was starting beach when I had call from Inspector Bardle Sussex Constabulary -- steady, solid, bovine man with thoughtful eyes, which looked at me now with very troubled expression

" your immense experience, sir," said he " quite unofficial, , and need go no farther But fairly up against it McPherson case The question is, shall I make an arrest, or shall I not ? "

"Meaning Mr Ian Murdoch ? "